Bah Humbugg!!!!!!!!

[Stanley Steamer]

Darn heat pump was acting up today...it was only blowing cold air....the Wife pays for a twice yearly service plan, and they haven't been out to do the winter service yet......normally they robocall a dozen times wanting to come out and do the service....not this winter........

Wife called them and they were here and gone before I could get back from doing some Santa business......being a " service member" we got the discounted rate of $69 for the "emergency" service call....and a $187 to replace a double pole contactor??.....WTH?..seems pretty pricy for a part that probably cost $30...... .......and the guy told her she'd have to call back and get the regular service scheduled.....that they weren't all that busy right now... .......good thing she's off this week....tomorrow is her Birthday......so "Happy Birthday"...seems something is happening to the A/C every year about this time.....just had the whole system replaced about 6-7 yrs ago....and just 3 years after it was, the Trane outside unit's compressor crapped out......a couple of the HVAC guys at work replaced that for us since the compressor was under warranty....Shumate HVAC wanted almost a $1,000 to replace it and they were the original installers........ ....

We thought we were getting a good system with the Trane......."Nothing stops a Trane".....BS.... .....it's not like we abuse it.....set the automatic thermostat once in summer and once in the winter.....and leave it alone........not like we have it adjusting itself during the day.....the Boss is pretty pissed at the whole situation.....

31 minutes and $256 later and we were back in business

[Pepmyster]

 

[cookiedough]

that is why I say if it aint' broke, don't fix it.  Doesn't really apply in your case, but I don't believe in having a tech come out and do nothing for the furnace tune up before winter.  I did that once about 50 bucks and all he did was inspect the air filter (dah, anybody can do), take bristle brush and clean the carbon buildup on the outside of the burners a few minutes, and check to make sure it looked like the flames were the right color coming out when the gas was fired up. 

I said if that is all you do for a tuneup and inspect,  I'll skip it and now about 20 years later with my comfortmaker 80% efficient gas furnace, is still running - knock on wood.

I really don't believe in getting anything over a 90 or possibly 93% efficiency furnace since they do not run as long and kick on and off cycling a lot more and thus the more it runs and kicks on and off, the more often the parts will fail.

I think almost all mfgs. are equal now of a/c and furnace units, everyone gets a bad apple once in awhile. 

I do think though you got robbed for what little they did.

[Hef]

Stan, Sorry to hear about your problem. I also have a Trane heat pump. Purchased it in 1995 and it's still working great. I have it serviced once a year and so far I have not had any problems. Maybe I have just been lucky. Anyway, I hope you have found the problem.

[Stanley Steamer]

I was just guessing about the part cost.......wasn't here when the guy replaced it, but a quick google search turned this up......

http://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Trane-Condenser-Contactor-CTR1146/dp/B00E0P7I60

[musclehead]

I was just guessing about the part cost.......wasn't here when the guy replaced it, but a quick google search turned this up......

http://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Trane-Condenser-Contactor-CTR1146/dp/B00E0P7I60

thats a pretty good guess..... too bad they marked it up %600 

[Jess Tolbirt]

i can get them here from Marcone Appliance for 7 dollars. i have 20 in stock now..

[Stanley Steamer]

I'm thinking I'll get some of my coworkers who've had A/C experience help next time

[Punisher]

I would get a couple of price quotes on the exact part number from local supply houses and if significantly cheaper I'd contact that company and argue with them on the price of that part.

May not get any money back...but you might.   At the very least they'll know you won't be a repeat customer and will talk about their price gouging with everyone you know.

To make folks pay attention you gotta hit'em in the wallet.

[POPS 57]

That's the way service work goes these days. Say you had your car in for a starter replacement. They more then double the price they pay for the starter on the bill. Also they add shop towels ect. I worked in the hvac. field for over 25 years. I picked up a cond. fan motor for T.P. at the whole sale house a couple of years ago. Price on the customers slip said $410.00 and I paid $49.00 for it. Sure hope T.P. doesn't see this. 

[Squealy]

We thought we were getting a good system with the Trane......."Nothing stops a Trane".....BS.... .....

Nothing stops a Trane, except turning it on....